Hyndman, PA 7/5/2013 - The westbound Q-217 is racing along the flatlands just ahead of the stiff climb over the former B&O's Sand Patch Grade. The GE C-40-8CW helper engine 7695 is already shoving hard against the empty autoracks to help gain momentum. Within just a few miles the train will be crawling as it struggles to tackle nearly 2,000 feet of elevation on its way over the Allegheny Mountains.